Several key roads in Mpumalanga’s Kruger Lowveld region are being upgraded following the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) takeover of important provincial routes. The move is expected to significantly improve access and safety in one of South Africa’s most visited tourism regions.
Transfer of responsibility to SANRAL includes the following roads:
- R540: Dullstroom to Lydenburg/Mashishing
- R538: White River to Hazyview and Hazyview to R40 intersection
- R40: White River to Mbombela
- Roads surrounding the Crossing Shopping Centre in Mbombela
- R533: Graskop to Bushbuckridge
- R571: Komatipoort to Marloth Park intersection
- Plaston Road, including Karino section, leading to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport
- Barberton Makhonjwa Geotrail: Bulembu Border to Barberton
- Low’s Creek to Kaapmuiden
Work has already commenced on the R540 between Dullstroom and Lydenburg/Mashishing with visible improvements reported by Easter visitors. Although stop-go controls remain in place, road users have noted safer and more reliable access to the northern Kruger Lowveld.
Kruger Lowveld Tourism has welcomed the developments, calling them an overdue intervention likely to bolster regional travel and tourism flows.